Latch.



-No. 7|2 ,|20. Patented 0ct; 28, I902.

E. S. COWAN.

I LATCH. (Application median. 18, 1902.I

(No Modal'.) 2 Sheath-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR S. COWAN, OF HARVEY, ILLINOIS.

LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 712,120, dated. October 28, 1902.

Application filed January 16, 1902. Serial No. 90,033. (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR S. COWAN, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Harvey, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches for Double-Swinging Gates or Doors; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, su'chas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a latch for double-swinging gates and doors.

The object of the invention is to provide a latch which is simple, durable, and efficient in construction and positive in action, so as to obviate all liability of the latch-bolt passing beyond the keepers and leaving the gate or door unfastened.

With this and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a horizontal section showing the application of the latch mechanism to a double-swinging gate. Fig. 2 is a front perspective View of the catch or keeper-mechanism detached from the latch-post. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same, showing the back plate and springs removed. Fig. 4 is a central vertical section through the casing of the catch or keeper mechanism. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the latch-bolt. Fig. 6 is a section of the same. Fig. 7 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 1, showing the application of the invention to a double-swinging door; and Fig. 8 is a sectional perspective View of the parts of the doorlatchbolt detached.

Referring now more particularlyv to the drawings, the numeral 1 represents a doubleswinging gate-that is, a gate mounted to swing in both directions-and 2 the latchpost of the gate.

The latch mechanism comprises in its construction twin catch devices mounted upon the latch-post and a coactin g latch-bolt mounted upon the free end of the double-swinging gate. The catch or keeper mechanism comprises in its construction a casing 3, fitted in a socket, formed in the post and secured- The casing 3 is provided with two longitudinally-extending parallel chambers 5 and 6,

in which are arranged two independentlyslidable catches 7 and 8, said catches being provided with beveled outer ends, as shown, said ends being beveled on their outer faces and having straight or square inner faces to cooperate with the latch-bolt. The rear end of the casing 3 is closed by a back plate 9, which is provided with studs 10, upon which are mountedsprings 11, one for each sliding catch, the forward end of the spring being arranged within a recess 11 in the rear or inner end of the catch, so as to normally maintain it in projected position. Each catch is provided with a stop shoulder or projection 12 to limit its rearward or retracting movement. The recesses 11 by receiving the springs allow the catches to be forced back until they come in contact with the plate 9, thereby enabling the length of the casing to be reduced.

The latch-bolt of the gate comprises the bolt 13 proper, which is mounted to swing vertically on the pivot 14in a suitable casing 15, secured to the free end of the gate, and has connected thereto a handle 16, which is adapted to be depressed to throw the free end of the latch upwardly, the latch being so mounted that it is adapted to dropto its normal position by the action of gravity.

In the operation of the latch mechanism when it is desired to swing the gate open in one direction the handle 16 is depressed, thereby releasing the latch from its normal engaging position between the two catches 7 and 8, thus leaving the gate free to be swung open. Upon swinging the gate closed the latch first comes in contact with the beveled side of the catch 7 or 8 on that side of the gate from which it is swinging and forces said catch back into its chamberagainst the tension of the spring 11, and this continues until the bolt passes the catch and moves into position between the two catches 7 and 8, the straight or rectangular face of the otherlatch preventing the free swinging of the gate toward the opposite side of the gateway. The operation in opening the gate and closing it from the opposite side of the gateway will be readily understood from the foregoing description, and it will be seen that when the gate is swung to a closed position and the latch-bolt retracts and passes by the beveled face of one of the catches it is arrested in its further movement by the straight or rightangular face of the other catch, thus bringing the gate to a stop in its proper closed position. By this means the accidental swinging of the latch-bolt past the proper locking position and failure to fasten the gate is avoided in a simple and efficient manner.

In theapplication of the invention to double-swinging doors the construction of the latch-bolt is modified to adapt it to the purpose,while the construction of the catch mechanism remains the same. By reference to Figs. 7 and 8 it will be seen that the latchbolt 13 is mounted in the casing 15, which is fitted within a mortise in the door andis provided at its rear: end with an opening 17 for passage of the shaft or spindle 18, which is provided on opposite sides of the bolt with stops 19 to prevent it from sliding in either direction out of position. The shaft or spindle has in one side a groove 20, which cooperates with a recess 21, communicating with the said opening 17 to receive a tapered key or pin 22, which is adapted to hold the said shaft or spindle against rotation. The ends of the shaft or spindle project through a transverse opening in the door and are formed with reduced threaded ends 23 for the reception of handles 24, which are held thereon by the retaining-nuts 25, whereby the handles may be securely fastened and adjusted in desired position above or below the horizontal line of the spindle 18. A ringshaped plate or collar 26 is secured upon each side of the door in the usual manner to conceal the opening through which the shaft or spindle passes.

If desired, the stop pins or projections 19 may be omitted, as by the proper fitting of the key 22 the shaft or bolt may beheld from longitudinal movement.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, mode of operation, and advantages of my invention will be readily understood without requiring an extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and details of construction may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the ad vantages thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A latch for double-swinging gates or doors comprising a casing partitioned toform parallel longitudinal chambers, said chambers being provided at their ends with a face-plate and a back plate common to both, catch clevices slidable longitudinally in said chainbers and having sockets formed therein at their rear ends, springs upon the back plate adapted to seat in said sockets and project the catches, and a stop on each catch to abut against a wall of the casing and limit its outward movement against the pressure of said springs, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Willnesses.

EDGAR S. OOWAN.

Witnesses:

W. L. WILLIAMS, SAML. DANIELS. 

